Wheelchair user praises staff for helping her get on Doolin ferry

A wheelchair user has praised the staff of Doolin Ferry after they helped her get on board as she was struggling with the ramp.

Blogger Rosie Dunn thanked the staff members who helped her get on the ferry, as the wheelchair ramp was too steep.

Rosie, who travelled from Doolin to Inis Oírr praised the staff after noting the ramp was "one of the steepest" she had ever been on.  

"I wouldn’t recommend traveling on this ferry at low tide (I’ve since been told this was an unusually low tide!) like I did here, but if you can navigate the step-up then at high tide it is easy because the boat is at the same height as the dock then!," she said in the caption on a video she posted on Instagram. 

"Sometimes travelling as a wheelchair user requires you to put a lot of trust in people and hope for the best. The staff of @doolinferryco were very willing to help, but I wish they had a better system in place," she said.

Rosie commented: "The staff members present on my journeys were very willing to help and allowed me to have the best experience possible given the conditions."

In a reply to Rosie, Liam O'Brien of Doolin Ferry Rosie thanked her for sharing her concerns about accessibility before revealing they are building a new ferry, which will be equipped with a lift. 

"We were delighted to welcome you on board Doolin Ferry for your recent trip to Inis Oírr. Thank you for sharing your concerns about accessibility. As you mentioned, travelling on the ferry at low tide is not ideal for wheelchair users. One of the challenges we face is the fluctuation of tides, which impacts the accessibility of our ramps. Our policy is to advise wheelchair users to plan their trips around high tides when possible, as this allows us to utilise a special ramp with a more manageable slope.

"However, we also recognise that waiting for a high tide may not always be feasible for our passengers. While we do our best to accommodate everyone, we ultimately leave the decision to individuals regarding whether they feel comfortable accessing the ferry under the given conditions. We never want to disappoint anyone, but safety remains our top priority for all parties involved and if the ramp had been any steeper, we would have had to refuse access," Mr O'Brien replied in a comment. 

According to them, the tide was "extremely low" on the day Rosie travelled with them, which resulted in a "much steeper ramp". 

"We acknowledge that this may have presented challenges for some passengers, and we apologise for any inconvenience or discomfort experienced. It's important to note that we operate within the constraints of Doolin harbour, which is owned by Clare County Council. The exposed nature of the harbour and fluctuating water conditions make it unsafe to install a floating marina. Nevertheless, we are committed to enhancing accessibility. In fact, we are currently in the process of building a new ferry set to join our fleet in July 2024. This new vessel will be equipped with a lift, providing full access for wheelchair users to all areas of the boat," he said. 

"Once again, we appreciate your feedback and assure you that we are dedicated to making meaningful improvements to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their mobility needs, can access our services safely and comfortably."